Crowns and other extra-coronal restorations: cores for teeth with vital pulps.

Cores for teeth with vital pulps is the seventh in the series of crowns and other extra-coronal restorations. A core is defined as 'that part of a preparation for an indirect restoration consisting of restorative material'. This article questions the need for routine pin placement and addresses the following issues--removal of existing restorations, the need for a core, core materials, core retention, and problem solving.